[mobglob-discuss] Appeal By Locked Out Celanese Meredosia Boilermakers Local 484

[Gordon Flett]

Date: 20 Jan 2006 19:07:28 -0000
Subject: [laborcoalition] Appeal By Locked Out Celanese Meredosia 
Boilermakers Local 484

From: "Randy DeWitt VP Local 484"
<rdewitt at bluffsnet.com>

Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 15:33:46 -0600

http://www.boilermakers484.org/index.cfm
Film Clips: http://www.lockout484.org/movies.html

Dear Labor Supporter,

Upon receipt of this letter it will be over 7 months that the IBB Local
484 and their families were illegally locked-out by Celanese Emulsions.
We are requesting your support in our efforts to continue to battle the
illegal actions of this corporation's attack on the American Worker.
In Spite of our best efforts, Celanese was determined to bypass the
sanctity of the negotiating process:

* June 2, 2005 Celanese issued a lockout notice

*Issued their "last and final offer" (though monetary negotiations lasted
only 7 hours)

Celanese refused the Union's extension offer. It is no wonder they refused.
Celanese had all the people in place to continue operations without
Boilermakers Local Lodge 484 membership.

*They brought in goons from West Virginia who claim to be ex-military
and ex-police. On their web site they boast about suppressing the
American Worker (visit our website for more information on these
union-busters) http://www.lockout484.org/

*They housed scabs from out of state in the same hotel where
negotiations were being conducted.

Celanese locked-out 150 Local 484 members on June 5, 2005

*Without providing adequate information on

*New insurance plan

*Different 401k investment plan

*Pension plan

*No pay raise for the helper class

*Reduced insurance coverage

*Waiver on severance

Celanese refused to continue to bargain until the membership voted.
After receiving some of the requested information, our local voted
145-2 to reject their last and final offer.

When the parties met on June 28th, they came closer to an agreement.
On July 6th, the Company regressively bargained.

*Reducing wages up to 30%

*Eliminating the maintenance department

*Reducing vacation

*Reneging on other issues already
tentatively agreed to

These actions can only be viewed as Celanese's attempt to become
union free. While shocking, it comes to no surprise given that greedy
corporations are taking advantage of the Bush administration's all-out
ruthless attack on all working Americans. This fight goes beyond Local
484 and is part of a broader war not only on unions, but all American
Workers.

National Labor Relations Board has been contacted and when they
decided to make an announcement that was favorable to the Union,
the Company requested a meeting with the Regional Director. When
they brought in their lawyer Clinton Morse from Roanoke Virginia, the
Regional Director decided to send the case to Washington D.C. under
advice. This gave the company much allotted time to continue their
"War on Workers" and Celanese a timeline of an appeal without issuing
the appropriate complaint.

Your support is needed to help us continue to stand up in this labor
struggle: 
http://www.boilermakers484.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=Solidarity2FDefense20Fund